Lighted construction toy with film projector

ABSTRACT

An interlocking toy building block has a block body, projector assembly and film. The block is formed within interconnecting building elements thereon for connection with other toy blocks, and a projector opening is defined in a side of the block body. The projector assembly includes a lens arranged in the projector opening, a light source arranged in the block body to direct light outside the block body through the lens and projector opening, and a power assembly supplying electrical power to the light source. The film having an image thereon, the film arranged in the block body between the light source and the lens, such that the image on the film is projected externally from the projector opening by the light from the light source passing through the film and the lens. The film can be in a removable cartridge and the lens can be included in a focusable assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/576,375 filed on Oct. 24, 2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to construction toys, and more particularly to lighted construction toys with interlocking blocks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Construction toys have been around for a long time. One type of construction toy, utilizing a plurality of interlocking toy blocks, has been particularly popular over the years. More recently, the options for further enhancing the design possibilities of such construction toys have increased with the more widespread integration of lights and other electronic functions into individual blocks; nonetheless, further improvements are possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lighted construction toy including a film projector integrated into an interlocking toy block. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an interlocking toy building block includes a block body, a projector assembly and film. The block is formed within interconnecting building elements thereon for connection with other toy blocks, and a projector opening is defined in a side of the block body. The projector assembly includes a lens arranged in the projector opening, a light source arranged in the block body to direct light outside the block body through the lens and projector opening, and a power assembly supplying electrical power to the light source. The film having an image thereon, the film arranged in the block body between the light source and the lens, such that the image on the film is projected externally from the projector opening by the light from the light source passing through the film and the lens.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the lens is included in a lens assembly, the lens assembly further including an outer barrel rotatably received in the projector opening and an inner barrel holding the lens and slidably arranged within the outer barrel, such that rotation of the outer barrel will move the inner barrel and lens toward and away from the light source for focusing of the image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the film is carried in a film cartridge arranged in the projector body. The block body further defines at least a first slot on a second side thereof, the film cartridge being insertable and removable through the first slot.

According to a method aspect, a method of using an interlocking toy building block includes inserting a film cartridge into a slot defined in a side of the toy building block so as to place film carried by the film cartridge into a projector assembly between a light source and a lens, and energizing the light source from a power assembly to project the image from the film through lens and out a projector opening in the toy building block.

These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated in view of the drawings and following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interlocking toy building block including a film projector therein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interlocking toy building block of FIG. 1, with a film cartridge removed therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the interlocking toy building block of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the interlocking toy building block of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the interlocking toy building block of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the interlocking toy building block of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the interlocking toy building block, projecting an image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an interlocking toy building block 10 includes a projector assembly 12 extending to a side thereof and a film cartridge 14 arranged in a projection path of the projector assembly 12, such that an image 16 from the film cartridge 14 is projectable from the block 10 onto a suitable surface (see FIG. 7).

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, the toy building block 10 includes a block body 20 having one or more surfaces 22 formed with interconnecting building elements 24. Thus, the block 10 with its projecting functionality can be readily incorporated into larger constructions. Slots 26 are defined opposite sides of the block body 20 allowing insertion and removal of the film cartridge 14. On a side transverse to the slots 26, a projector opening 30 is defined to accommodate an outer end of the projector assembly 12.

A switch opening 32 is further defined in the block body 20 to accommodate a power switch 34. A test opening 36 allows test usage during commercial display of the toy building block 10, as will be explained in greater detail below. A portion of the block body 20 is formed as a removable battery cover 38, allowing access to batteries 40 for removal and replacement.

To facilitate assembly of the toy building block 10 and placement of components internal thereto, the block body 20 is advantageously formed of upper and lower sections 42, 44. The internal components are seated in the lower section 44. The upper section 44 is then connected to the lower section, preferably via plastic welding or other means of permanent connection, retaining the internal components therebetween.

The projector assembly 12 includes a lens assembly 50, a light source 52 and a power assembly 54. The lens assembly 50 preferably includes an outer barrel 56 rotatably received in the projector opening 30 and an inner barrel 60 arranged within the outer barrel 56 and holding a lens 62. The inner barrel 60 is slidably arranged within the outer barrel 56, such that rotation thereof will move the inner barrel 60 and lens 62 toward and away from the film cartridge 14, allowing focusing of the image 16.

The light source 52 is arranged behind the film cartridge 14 so as to direct light therethrough into the lens assembly 50. A light emitting diode (LED) is preferably used as the light source, although other light sources could be used.

The power assembly 54 supplies electrical power to the light source 52. In the depicted embodiment, the power assembly includes batteries 40 electrically connected to the light source 52 via the power switch 34 and a test switch 56. The power switch 34 extends through the switch opening 32 in the block body 20 to allow external operation. The power switch 34 is advantageously a push button-type switch which remains in the selected on or off position until pushed again. The test switch 56 includes flexible contacts that can be brought into contact via engagement through the test opening 36. A protrusion in commercial packaging for the toy building block 10 could be made extendable therethrough, allowing prospective purchasers to temporarily test projector function.

It will be appreciated that other switching arrangements and power sources could be used in connection with the present invention. For instance, slide, lever and/or motion switches could be employed. Additionally, a wirelessly-activated switch could be included. A variable power connection allowing flashing or otherwise intermittent or programmed operation of the light source 52 could be used. The toy building block 10 could be configured to receive power from an external supply, including via connection to one or more additional powered toy building blocks.

The film cartridge 14 includes front and rear frames 60, 62 between which film 64 is sandwiched. The width of the film cartridge 14 is approximately equal to the distance between the sides of the block body 20 in which the slots 26 are defined. Preferably, the front and rear frames 60, 62 are permanently connected, although embodiments with detachable frames could also be employed allowing a user to load his or her own film elements. Advantageously, the film cartridge 14 includes an indexing element 66 which aligns with a complementary element 70 in the slots 26 to ensure the film cartridge 14 is inserted into the projector assembly 12 in the correct orientation.

In operation, a user inserts a desired film cartridge 14 into the projector assembly 12, aims the lens assembly 50 at a suitable surface for projections, and operates the power switch 34 to energize the light source 52. The image 16 is then projected onto the surface and can be focused via turning the outer barrel 56 of the lens assembly 12. If the user desires to project a different image, the film cartridge 14 can be removed and replaced with a different film cartridge.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments is provided for illustrative and exemplary purposes; the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, as well as adaptations for particular circumstances, will fall within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described and of the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An interlocking toy building block comprising: a block body having at least one exterior surface formed within interconnecting building elements thereon, the interconnecting building elements configured to interlock with complementary interconnecting building elements on another toy building block, a projector opening being defined in a first side of the block body; a projector assembly including a lens arranged in the projector opening, a light source arranged in the block body to direct light outside the block body through the lens and projector opening, and a power assembly arranged in the block body and supplying electrical power to the light source; and a film having an image thereon, the film arranged in the block body between the light source and the lens, such that the image on the film is projected externally from the projector opening by the light from the light source passing through the film and the lens.
 2. The interlocking toy building block of claim 1, wherein the block body includes an upper section and a lower section connected thereto.
 3. The interlocking toy building block of claim 2, wherein the projector assembly is seated in the lower section.
 4. The interlocking toy building block of claim 1, the lens is included in a lens assembly, the lens assembly further including an outer barrel rotatably received in the projector opening and an inner barrel holding the lens and slidably arranged within the outer barrel, such that rotation of the outer barrel will move the inner barrel and lens toward and away from the light source for focusing of the image.
 5. The interlocking toy building block of claim 1, wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode.
 6. The interlocking toy building block of claim 1, wherein the power assembly includes at least one battery electrically connected to the light source.
 7. The interlocking toy building block of claim 6, wherein the block body includes a removable battery cover, removal thereof permitting access to the at least one battery for removal and replacement.
 8. The interlocking toy building block of claim 6, wherein the block body further defines a switch opening, and the power assembly further includes a power switch extending therethrough and operable to selectively supply the electrical power from the at least one battery to the light source.
 9. The interlocking toy building block of claim 8, wherein the power switch is a push-button switch.
 10. The interlocking toy building block of claim 9, wherein the push-button switch remains in a selected on or off position until pushed again.
 11. The interlocking toy building block of claim 8, wherein the block body further defines a test opening, and the power assembly further includes a test switch having flexible contacts configured to be brought into contact by engagement through the test opening.
 12. The interlocking toy building block of claim 1, wherein the film is carried in a film cartridge arranged in the projector body.
 13. The interlocking toy building block of claim 12, wherein the block body further defines at least a first slot on a second side thereof, the film cartridge being insertable and removable through the first slot.
 14. The interlocking toy building block of claim 13, wherein the block body further defines a second slot on a third side thereof, the second slot being aligned with the first slot, the film cartridge being insertable and removable through the first and second slot.
 15. The interlocking toy building block of claim 14, wherein a width of the film cartridge is approximately equal to a distance between the second and third sides.
 16. The interlocking toy building block of claim 14, wherein the second and third sides are both perpendicular to the first side of the block body.
 17. The interlocking toy building block of claim 13, wherein an indexing element is formed on the film cartridge which aligns with a complementary indexing element in the first slot to ensure the film cartridge is inserted in a correct orientation.
 18. The interlocking toy building block of claim 12, wherein the film cartridge includes front and rear frames between which the film is sandwiched.
 19. An interlocking toy building block comprising: a block body having at least one exterior surface formed within interconnecting building elements thereon, the interconnecting building elements configured to interlock with complementary interconnecting building elements on another toy building block, a projector opening being defined in a first side of the block body, a slot being defined in a second side of the block body; a projector assembly including a lens assembly arranged in the projector opening, a light source arranged in the block body to direct light outside the block body through the lens assembly and projector opening, and a power assembly arranged in the block body and supplying electrical power to the light source, the lens assembly including an outer barrel rotatably received in the projector opening and an inner barrel holding a lens, the inner barrel and lens being slidably arranged within the outer barrel, such that rotation of the outer barrel will move the inner barrel and lens toward and away from the light source for focusing; and a film cartridge including at least one frame and film carried by the frame having an image thereon, the film cartridge arranged in the slot between the light source and the lens, such that the image on the film is projected externally from the projector opening by the light from the light source passing through the film and the lens.
 20. A method of using an interlocking toy building block, the method comprising: inserting a film cartridge into a slot defined in a side of the toy building block so as to place film carried by the film cartridge into a projector assembly between a light source and a lens; and energizing the light source from a power assembly to project the image from the film through lens and out a projector opening in the toy building block. 